SATURDAY PM/SUNDAY AM, 6TH UPDATE: Here’s the latest news about the start of the Summer Box Office with its first official weekend totalling $145 million, +52% from last year. The 2011 box office slump is now officially history. North America’s #1 movie is Universal’s Fast Five whose weekend of $83.6M blew away the $71M opening weekend of fourquel Fast & Furious. Now, this 5th installment in the street racing franchise breaks the studio’s non-toon losing streak in recent years with a global cume of $165M in just 10 days of release internationally. But two other pics debuting this weekend — Disney’s Prom and The Weinstein Co’s Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs Evil3D – failed to connect with audiences. Here’s the Top 10:

Even with a -13% drop on Saturday, which would be normal because its Friday’s grosses expanded by midnight showings, that’s still a bigger North American weekend cume for Fast Five than the top 2 openings this year combined (Rio $39M/Rango $38M). The film received an “A” CinemaScore and an “A+” from moviegoers under age 18. In terms of records, Universal is claiming: the biggest opening in Universal history (besting Lost World: Jurassic Park‘s $72.1M), the biggest opening of 2011 (besting Rio‘s $39.2M), the biggest Universal opening for 2011 (besting Hop‘s $37.5M), the highest opening for an April Release (besting Fast & Furious‘ $71M), the highest opening for the last weekend in April (besting A Nightmare On Elm Street‘s $39M), the highest opening for stars Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, and producer Neil Moritz, and director Justin Lin. A lot of Uni execs are breathing easier today now that they’ve delivered a nice fat hit to their new Comcast overlords who must have been wondering if they’d bought a bomb factory instead of a movie studio. Fast Five opened first overseas 10 days ago and this weekend grossed a huge $45.3M at 3,211 dates in just 14 territories. That raised its early international tally to $81.4M. So now the worldwide total stands at a whopping $165M. The pic opened No. 1 in each of the 10 new markets. The openings are bigger than all the previous Fast franchise films. (Paramount opened Marvel/Disney’s Thorhead-to-head against Fast Five in more than a dozen markets but not in the U.S. and Canada until next Friday. Of course, sequels do better overseas than in this country.) But even rival studios say Fast Five is on track for a $300M foreign and $500M worldwide finish. “Here’s what I’m most proud of: there is nothing obvious about what happened. No one can say of course every single decision how it was going to be made, how it was going to be cast, when it was going to be dated, how it was going to be sold, was very startegically thought out. There is no reason for the 5th movie in a franchise to have pulled off what this pulled off,” Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson told me this morning.

Usually, studios large and small boast about releasing $9 million budget movies because the upside can be huge even if majors spend at least $30M to market any film. But when it’s the first greenlit movie from Rich Ross as chief of Walt Disney Pictures, then the Prom bomb has the potential to humiliate. Disney expected a weekend opening of around $8M-$9M, and Hollywood about $10M. Nope. It was half that. Prom is one of four movies that was greenlit around the same time last year along with Pirates Of The Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides, The Muppets reboot, and Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie. Only Prom didn’t have a box office pedigree, and I was bewildered why Ross wouldn’t make this little movie into a clone of the wildly successful High School Musical which Ross did at Disney Channel — complete with singing and dancing. (The sequel could have been Homecoming…) Nope. The Prom soundtrack featuring new and original songs by in-house Hollywood Records’ Allstar Weekend, Travie McCoy, and Neon Trees didn’t attract moviegoers. Nor did a young up-and-coming multicultural cast including Aimee Teegarden (Friday Night Lights) and Thomas McDonell who’s cast in the upcoming Dark Shadows but couldn’t match Zac Efron as a draw. Naturally, Prom‘s target audience was young female tweens/teens and its late April release was timed to U.S. prom-planning season. The Disney marketing machine leveraged third-party promotional support. But the pic, directed by Joe Nussbaum and written by Katie Welch, left the kids cold. “We are going after a very specific market, and, if we can get that market and get films like this right, the upside represents an incredible opportunity,” a Disney exec told me before the movie opened. “When you have big budget tentpoles like Pirates, Oz, all the Marvel films, we need to have other types of films in the portfolio that have potential to make money with less risk attached.” Unfortunately for them, the “Promb” puts more stress on the slate coming together now from Ross and his president of production Sean Bailey.

Of the locations where this fractured fairy tale toon based on Red Riding Hood is playing, 75% are 3D. But even those higher ticket prices couldn’t help The Weinstein Co save this sequel. The indie studio was expecting mid- to high single digits for the weekend, and it’s underperforming. As a source in film financing emailed me, “A huge turkey.” P&A was estimated at $36M, but Weinstein Conow tells me now that since Hoodwinked Too was a service deal for Kanbar just like it did on the first one, “we did not put up one dime of P&A on the movie”. How embarrassing for The Weinstein Co that this piece of crap is what it’s playing at the Tribeca Film Festival. Then again, it’s appropriate since that fest is crap, too — merely an excuse for Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal to phony up a film fest and sucker American Express.

12:30 PM UPDATE: What a way to open the Summer Box Office after 2011’s slumping start! Based on advance ticket sales and today’s matinees, insiders tell me that Universal’s Fast Five could make $30M-35M today, which would make for a $75M-$80M weekend in North America. That means this fifth installment in the street-racing franchise is the biggest grossing. Other sources tell me they expect Fast Five to make close to $300M internationally based on current business, which could mean a worldwide cume of $500M. Yowza!

8:30 AM UPDATE: Overnight, the Summer Movie Season officially kicked off. Universal’s Fast Five grossed an estimated $3.8M in 1,104 North American theaters. That’s more than twice what the previous film, Fast & Furious, the fourth installment in the street racing franchise, did in midnight screenings ($1.8M). It’s the biggest midnight screening in Universal history and the biggest for the franchise. Overseas so far, this fifth in the franchise has made $43.7M so far. In addition to the four territories of Australia, New Zealand, Korea and the UK last week, it opened in five more territories on Thursday and remains #1 everywhere and the biggest of the Fast franchise. Germany took in $2.2M from 633 datesas and Austria $155K in previews. Russia opened with $2.4M in 712 venues. Switzerland, Slovenia and Ukraine also came in big. This pic is proving, once again, the theatrical release adage that sequels do really well internationally, which is where this Vin Diesel-Paul Walker-Dwayne Johnson pic debuted first. Which is why it’s pummelling Marvel/Disney’s Thor in those countries where the two movies were pitted head to head by distributor Paramount. But it’ll be a fairer fight when Thor opens in North America in a week. Domestically, big online ticket seller Fandango reports that Fast Five is its top advance ticket-seller of 2011, representing 74% of daily ticket sales going into its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada. Disney’s Prom, which also opens this weekend, is taking 5% of Fandango’s ticket sales. UPDATES to come.

192 Comments

I am so happy Fast Five is doing so well and will do even better here in the states. You guys deserve it!

Burbank Dweller • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Agreed, Universal deserves a hit. On the other hand, Disney deserves the bomb they have with Prom. How could you have spent that much on marketing for this small an opening?

Good thing you have Dick Cook’s Pirates & Cars franchises to bail you out.

greg • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

You want to talk marketing? How about DYLAN DOG? They spent a fortune marketing that turd. Ads were everywhere on TV and they papered the movie websites with banner ads. I was seriously shocked at how much money was being blown. Easily 3 to 4 times the actual cost of production! Mystifying.

LOL • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Not sure where all of those ads were shown. I didn’t see any. Never even heard of Dylan Dog.

Sam • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Dylan Dog’s P&A budget was half of what the film cost to produce. They actually made a small amount stretch very far.

jacob • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

the ad in the LA Times for Dog was easily one of the worst I’ve ever seen…..just terrible….I actually LOL when I saw it.

zero quadrant • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Prom was just a terrible idea and totally unmarketable because there is NO audience.
The 5 million it was lucky enough to draw was likely half comprised of people who couldn’t get into fast and furious

matty • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

PROMB.

WGAmember • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Actually, it was people who bought tickets to PROM and snuck into FAST FIVE.

ILDC • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Fast Five is rated PG-13; a 5-year-old could get in.

Nice! • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I think he means because Fast Five was sold out…people sneak into sold out films all the time.

Good participation though!

rod detainee • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Three cheers for MT and Fasad! Even if they know nothing at least they dress well. Right?

Alex • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Plus, they’ve got some buzzed about Dreamworks movies (Spielbergo’s next one,The Help,Fright Night remake) they’re distrubuting now that the Paramount stank is off.

Tea and Crumbles • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Universal deserves to make a hit… but dusting off this ol’ turd ain’t it.

Langley and Co. need to start brushing up on those resumes.

Darth Mater • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

PROM cost nothing… stop calling it a bomb.

bill • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Sorry, Darth. Whenever you fail to even get close to getting your print costs back on a film on 2700 screens it is a bomb. Prom will lose tens of millions of dollars when all is said and done. You can’t spin that.

mojo • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I think Darth was the same guy who tried to spin that last year’s THE A-TEAM was actually a hit!!

Fox lost over 150 Million on that one…..so PROM will lose 10 – 20 Million but nothing close to the real bomb of A-Team, Darth.

Bill needs to shut it • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Oh Bill please STFU.

Thank you,

Everyone who knows what they’re talking about.

All youve done is bring more shame to your crappy bomb • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Take the hit promb…just sit there, take it and move on. Bad idea, worse script, NO AUDIENCE and its pretty much the SINGLE LOWEST GROSSING FILM released on over 2500 screens this year. It’s a MEGA MONSTER FLOP no matter if they even only spent 40 or 50 million all in…(tax time says MORE). ITS NOT GOING TO MAKE 10 MILLION worldwide, (studio only sees 50% of that)…how do you not do that putting the DISNEY LOGO ON A CHILD THEMED PG MOVIE? Who wrote something that bad? Who greenlit it? Who directed it? And who said they could market that??. You’re all going to and should take a hit, im sorry…PROMB, you are going to be taught in business school as the prototype for crapping all over a branded goldmine. YOU PROMB…Not only did you lose all that money, but almost anything else COULD IN FACT MAKE money in it’s spot…Promb is the anti-hit, the truest of all bombs…PROMB BOMBED DUDE…it did.

Todd Toronto • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Does anyone know/care when the last time the top two movies in North America were both set in Rio de Janeiro?

Nah, I’m just going to assume this is the first time that’s ever happened.

GIBBS • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Welcome back Vin and its your turn to shine Dwayne. We need a new actin hero in the vein of Stallone and Schwarzenegger.

oodlesofnoodles • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Around the time of The Scorpion King and the 1st Fast & Furious DJ and VD (erm, Vin) were projected to be major action stars by now. Vin had hits with XXX and the Pacifier while DJ became more of a family friendly brand; imo opinion neither has lived up to their potential as action heroes. Maybe this will get them back on track. How about a re-do of Tango & Cash with Vin & DJ?

Penn • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I have to agree. I liked both these actors in their action oriented roles. But poor selections have marred their chances of becoming the next big action star. I don’t buy the acting chops argument because both of them are better actors than Arnold Schwarzenegger, and can give Sly a run for his money. I would hate to think their ethnicity had any role in their success or a lack of it.

Redmenace • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

“I would hate to think their ethnicity had any role in their success or a lack of it”

I can assure you their ethnicity didn’t have anything to do with it.It was all because of their poor choices in movie roles.The Rock was getting a steady stream of action role before he decided to go the disney kid friendly route which aleinate the action fan community, while Vin Diesel made some seriously bad choices in film and even worst rumors pay demand that got him thrown off the first Fast and The Furious sequel and the Triple X sequel, even though the Triple X was a bomb.

Alex • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Agreed, but replace Vin with Statham and you’ve got yourself a deal.

mmmmmmmmmmm • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

mmmmmmmm, jason statham

jake • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Since when are so many movies opening overseas before they open here — is there a reason why? Rio, thor, fast five to name a few….

micoos • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Publicity, baby!

Anonymous • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

The American market is a shrinking slice of the pie.

joe • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

thats because their are no good movies . This one sounds like another recycled piece of crap

Dan • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Because they never recycle ideas in other countries. Yawn.

vvvvvvv • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

piracy is rampant in those countries. If they open here first, they lose tons of business through piracy in places like Russia, South Korea and Brazil.

Well, Actually • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

That doesn’t make any sense.

SUPER SMART • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

It’s been empirically proven, but let’s not use any economic data and go from your snark instead.

Jaydo • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

vvvvvvvv is right. People film it with their i phones here, reprint it overnight and sell DVDs in marketplaces worldwide before it even opens in international theaters

Vaus • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

It’s seasonal. Australia and New Zealand had 2 weeks of school holidays including 3 public holidays so it was potentially a bigger movie going time that the following weeks. Winter is coming here not summer.

danny • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

to avoid piracy…..that’s also why 3D will not go away because overseas audience especially want to see the 3d FX so pirates can’t sell their bootleg movies right out the gate

jake • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

But it is very unusual, i’ve never heard of high profile releases being released overseas first. I know of day and date, but not weeks before.

Dwandala Howard • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I loved Fast Five Awsome!!!

The Clintidote • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

The trailer alone was killing brain cells with its stupidity, so I had to change channels. The numbers, though, indicate a ton of mouth-breathers out there with a few bucks burning holes in their baggy pockets.

Wonk • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

How very pretentious of you.

thatoneguy • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Hey buddy,

I got an IQ of 165 and I test in the top 1/10 of one percent in verbal skills. And you know what? I can’t wait to see this film. It looks like fun. Furthermore, I actually think it looks to be more inventive and intelligent than the average summer film. So go ahead and be a curmudgeon, I’m gonna go enjoy my day.

Jack • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Wow, you MUST have an IQ of 165..!!! You used “furthermore” and “curmudgeon” in a sentence.

You and Clint both sound like major d-bags…

Everyone already knows you don’t have to be a caveman to enjoy an action film. Lighten up, guys.

Jolt • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Curmudgeon and Furthermore are big words to you? Wow. No wonder you think everyone’s a d-bag. lol

Sam • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Umm you missed his sarcasm (and the point), dipshit..

Genius bar • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Actually, YOU missed the point Sam. Jolt actually used sarcasm correctly – please go back and re-read the thread so that you can be a little clearer.

Oh and the movie is neither inventive nor intelligent. Hopefully you’ve all seen it by now and realize it’s a solidly made blockbuster, full of fun AND stupidity, and nothing more.

Good day.

ha • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Now THAT comment is pretentious.

Possession of intelligence does not mean it is being used.

James • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

“Possession of intelligence does not mean it is being used.”

Possibly my new favorite quote:)

Johnny • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

To wit, your comment.

Dipshiz • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Will all of you shut up. I am getting so sick of all of the hate on these boards. Yes, I am posting a comment, so I must be one of you. But I am just hating the haters. You are all losers. LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I am sure if Albert Einstein were alive today, he would have seen “Fast Five” this weekend.

freddy • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

haha… “I got an IQ of 165″ that’s classic.

Anonymous • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

yes, classic!

imbecile • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I have an IQ of 72 and even I know how to use the English language.

TheMerge • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Anyone who doesn’t have your taste in movies must be a moron. I have an IQ over 140 and love mindless action films. Have fun watching African Cats.

Lola • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Rude! African Cats was a very good movie.

Jack • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Absolutely the most annoyingly pretentious comment in the history of this site.

Don • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Dude, really? Based on your obvious insecurity and need to claim intelligence, I think we know who the real “mouth-breather” here is.

Lee Harvey • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

America must be starved for entertainment. I can’t explain it any other way. How does this crap make so much money? If you paid for this, hang your head in shame.

bill • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I love this kind of pinheaded post. Fast Five dominated parts of the world, all of the world this week, but somehow it “Americans” who are starved for entertainment. Did it ever dawn on you that people everywhere like fast cars, hot girls and action movies. Hah, you probably work in development and think people want to see Danny McBride in tights, more James Franco flicks and movies based on book no one has ever read.

JD • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Hey if it’s any consolation…I agree with you.

MarcDom • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

It’s so cool to see 3 African-American male movie stars leading a summer blockbuster and potential #1 hit of the year! Who says “Black doesn’t travel?” LOL

hmmm • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

except that Vin denies being black….or refuses to acknowledge it anyway….he instead always claims to be Latino, speak spanish and refer to Latinos as “mi gente” every chance possible…….. even though neither biological parents were latino LOL

still though great to see a diverse cast with a hit. should show hollywood that eveything doesnt always have to be so freaking white washed!!!

Kizzo • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

“I hate to burst your bubble MarcDom: but Vin Diesel is more Italian than black (he was cast as carpaZZo & Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock is more Samoan (Polynesian) than black. And folks come to see Vin + Dwayne, not Tyrese or Ludacris. Walker is even less a factor in this one but I think the movie will be a ghetto-ized if a white guy is not in it. What I am saying is : It’s a multi-cultural affair.”

True, but just like the Prez… he will always be considered black in America. That’s the way it’s been for 100s of years when dealing with a person who is mixed with black.

redmenace • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I see it’s pulls things out of your ass week on deadline.I have never heard Vin Diesel claim to be latino, probably because he never has.Vin Diesel has never came out and claim to be anything, which is a smart decision so he can continue to play many ethnicities.

Pam • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Vin Diesel has Italian and black ancestry.

Steve • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Who are you talking about? Vin isn’t black. The Rock isn’t black.

Wannabe • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Yes, according to the way race has always been understood in the United States of America, they are.

SteveSTFU • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

THE FACT PATROL:
.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, is the son of a samoan woman (daughter of wrestler Pete Maivia), and BLACK Nova Scotian wrestler Rocky Johnson. His ancestors were slaves that escaped from the American South.
.
I have no idea how Vin Diesel identifies, but I knew he was black as soon as I saw his face in ‘Saving Private Ryan.’ He may have had an Italian surname in the movie, but so what? So did Roy Campanella, so does Fantasia Barrino. lol Every black person I know, knew Vin was black from day one. It’s not like he’s Rashida Jones. If I didn’t know her father was Quincy Jones, I wouldn’t automatically assume she was black, or of black lineage – she could be anything. Vin, not so much.

One Drop Rule • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

One drop rule … just because a person has a drop of black blood, he is black?

If you dropped Dwayne Johnson in Samoa, Hawaii, or Mexico, he would easily blend in the native population. The Rock identifies with his Pacific/Samoan side (see his tattoos and how he was brought up) than his black side. FYI : Google his father – Rocky Johnson – and The Rock’s father obviously had a white parent or grandparent.

The point is that neither Vin Diesel or The Rock can be racially classified and can appeal to a wider demographic.

Uh awesome • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Maybe because Rashida couldn’t act whiter in every single role she’s in.

Sway • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I hate to burst your bubble MarcDom: but Vin Diesel is more Italian than black (he was cast as carpaZZo & Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock is more Samoan (Polynesian) than black. And folks come to see Vin + Dwayne, not Tyrese or Ludacris. Walker is even less a factor in this one but I think the movie will be a ghetto-ized if a white guy is not in it. What I am saying is : It’s a multi-cultural affair.

Wannabe • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

What do you mean Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is “more Samoan than black”? How do you figure that? His father is Rocky Johnson, an African Canadian who was famous for being a pioneering black pro wrestler. His mother is Ata Maivia, a Samoan who also comes from a famous pro wrestling family. So where does your ridiculous statement come from? Johnson is reportedly attached to play country music legend Charley Pride, so he’s obviously considered “black” enough for that.

And where do you get that Diesel is more Italian than black? He has intentionally been very ambiguous about his ancestry, but it is well known that he is of an Italian mother and an African American father. He has self-described himself as “most definitely a person of color.”

If you’re making your ridiculous assertions (“more one thing than another”) based on simply looking at them, you’re showing your incredible ignorance on matters of race/ethnology.

MarcDom • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Primarily for marketing purposes. The studios are releasing films oversees first because over the past decade or so, foreign box offices have been much, much higher than domestic bo’s. So, as a result of this new reality, the studios are trying to capitalize on the buzz that big box office numbers oversees creates to hopefully inspire domestic attendance rates here in the US. Plus it helps them determine whether or not wide distribution of a film domestically makes sense economically.

WEed • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Yeah,I Really Know!So and will be!Fast Five will be break a records,Its most wonderful action film!(#fast five rulez)

bobby the saint • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Saw it at the Friday 12:01 showing and the theater was jam packed. The storytelling/script was a bit suspect but the cars and chases (on foot, on wheels) rocked and Justin Lin did a nice job with the action sequences. The story gets a C+ and the direction gets an A-. As much as it pains me to say it, the overall movie is a solid B-, or B and it should do $50 million boffo box office this weekend. I guess summer has begun at the cinema. Congrats to Vin Diesel and Justin Lin. & Co. Just next time, can you guys polish the script so the story makes a bit more sense. (Or, um, maybe that’s the precisely the point! I can hear the execs saying, “Story? Who gives a flying f–k about story!” )

Movie makes me want to go to Brazil ASAP!

michael • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

“Justin Lin did a nice job with the action sequences”…

I’d say it was 2nd unit/stunt directors Spiro Razatos and Alexander Witt, two of the best in the business, who did a nice job with the action sequences. Lin’s lucky to have ‘em…

Dru • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

You are aware parts of the world are a day ahead because of timezones, right?

Slippery Pete • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

To the Idiot-mobile!

deesee • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I seriously laughed out loud when i read the above. so perfect.

mamacass • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

it was mostly shot in puerto rico -but go to brazil if you wish.

bill • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

The great thing about Fast Five opening is that Universal didn’t learn a thing from their only franchise. Here they have a great series tied to souped up cars and they’re planning to kill it and turn it into a heist series. Cause the kids all flock to those like they do this car series. Stupid morons.

Look for Fast 6 the heist series to bomb like all other Uni product does and Ice Cube’s new street racing series to take off.

Oh, and for all the morons who will now green light a bunch of garbage with Vin and the Rock. Good luck with that. Outside of this franchise and kiddie fare name a flick either one of these guys has opened on their own. Still look for a bunch of Deadline posts announcing huge deals for both of these guys in the near future. I’m sure their agents are already on the phone soaking down the suits around town as we speak.

Boyo • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Sorry to break it to you, Bill, but Fast Five is a heist film and it looks to be better reviewed and doing better than the others. Looks like Universal’s new “strategy” isn’t the bomb you think it’s going to be.

Anonymous • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

@bill

you do realize that fast 5 is a heist movie and that it is doing much much better business than any of the previous installments and that it is gertting better reviews?

bill • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I take you work for Universal. Yes, this is more of a heist movie but it still features the cars up front and center. And it’s the cars that are getting the kids into the theater. They couldn’t care less about reviews. If Universal does what they claim they want to do and reconfigures the series as “heist” flicks they’ll, or should I say, you’ll get killed.

BTW – Shouldn’t you folks at Uni be updating your resumes instead of posting on here? I mean, you should try and change jobs now that you’ve got your first hit in eons.

jake • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I don’t understand that the minute anyone writes on here anything positive, it’s gotta be from a studio plant — ridiculous. Anyways, the plan from my understanding is that there are still cars but it will be more of a heist — the thinking is how many times are you gonna watch a movie just about cars and fast five — is the first of this kind of hybrid. I have not seen it yet, but will see it tomorrow.

What?? • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I just saw Fast 5 and it most certainly is NOT a heist movie, anymore than Fast & Furious was a drug movie, no. 2 (or 3?) was a movie about Japanese culture, etc. There’s always some perfuntory plot/story in these movies, but 99% of the audience doesn’t give a shit. It’s the cars, the action, the bros and the hos, man.

I agree with other posters- You must be linked to the execs at Uni. Are you them, or do you just work there?

Dan • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Completely agree with you. The next one will most likely flop, and that won’t just be because they’re moving away from the original formula. My friend and I walked out of the movie saying how very poor-mans Italian Job/Oceans 11 it was. Enjoyed it but it needs the cars. There’s no other movies like it recently and moving away from the cars is a bad decision. About time they went back to Tokyo too.

Esquire • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

You mean back to the setting of the LOWEST grossing film in the franchise…………………next thing you’ll be asking for Lucas Black to return as well.

newFF5fan • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

you obviously didn’t hear about the scene after the credits. it has played like gangbusters and sets up the next movie. it might not open at this weekend’s #’s but it won’t bomb.

Carolyn • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I have an IQ over 82, am mildly retarded, and I can’t WAIT to see THE MAGIC FLUTE! But I digress…

And it’s “I HAVE an IQ of 165″ Braniac…

Hugs

Carolyn

brick • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I hope this finally allows Fogelson to exhale for a change. Universal had a lot riding on this, even if they would never publicly admit it.

Ruprick • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I’m the village idiot and I thought the trailer was fascinating.

george • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Cars go fast, cars go boom!

Plus an italian guy and a samoan pass for black. It’s a win win!

Lola • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Since you didn’t know, I’ll tell you — Vin is black on his dad’s side, Italian on his mom’s side. The Rock is black on his dad’s side, Samoan on his mom’s side. Now since you know their heritage, you can begin to hate.

Shy • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I wonder about Thor fate now. If Fast Five was beating Thor overseas then it could easily beat Thor in USA too. If Fast Five will take 70-80 millions then Thor could get just some 60-65 millions. And that is not good for such overhyped and overpromoted expensive blockbuster. They are not even promoting Fast Five that much. But Thor is just everywhere.

Comedymaven • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

You’re worried about Thor NOW? The trailer didn’t cause concern? The stills released for publicity a few months back didn’t cause the jitters?

Oh, and I happen to love the occasional escapist action flick. I have no idea what my IQ is, (though an elementary school teacher always scolded me that my IQ indicated my work should be much better than it was).

And I STILL say, Fast Five looks like a piece of crap to me, and I don’t have to see it, or squish it through my fingers, to confirm it. It’s just too, too much. And if anyone wants to equate Box office with quality, well there are too many examples to pick just one to demonstrate the fallacy of THAT kind of “logic.”

Hell, more than 50 million voted to re-elect George Bush, so it’s clear the public has a long record of gathering together to show exceptionally bad judgment. And Bush doesn’t convince you, then there are always the Kardashians.

keepitreal • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

or Obama
or Trump
or Maher
or Beck
or Letterman
or Sheen.

33&1/3% • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

You’re right about Trump and Beck.

IQ FU • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

“Fast Five” is total garbage, not only without a single redeeming social feature, but actually socially destructive.
It’s a deliberate product designed to appeal to the basest instincts of teenage boys, their dates, and “grown men”.
The IQ of those who’ll pay to watch the movie isn’t the issue!
You’re all missing the point of just why “Fast Five” and hundreds of so-called “action movies” are so socially deleterious.

The matter is not IQ but ethics…and dare I add, the spiritual(higher purpose, love, peace) dimensions-more specifically, the lack thereof.
STOP!
Right now, you read “ethics” and “spiritual” and thought:
“Lighten up, fucker. It’s just a goddamn action flick. A fun time, maybe a date movie. Nothing more. Get off your fucking soapbox/pulpit and let people have some make-believe fun!”

EVERY time someone watches this, they reinforce these very same anti-social elements within themselves.

YOU BECOME WHAT ENTERTAINS YOU.

Hollywood Rule: Action movies must never espouse ethics or anything that even remotely smacks of “spiritual”-unless “spiritual” means to you killing with a smirk on your face saying “Yippee Kay Oh!”, “I’ll be back!”, or “Make my day!”.

Tell me, producers of “Fast Five”:
“Do you want YOUR kids to grow up like any of the “action” characters in this movie?
I doubt it.
Then why peddle this crap to millions of ignorant teenage boys who will, in some sense, wish to be like these violent heroes in real life?

YOU BECOME WHAT ENTERTAINS YOU.

thatoneguy • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Sure, except that there is no scientific, rational or logical evidence for what you’re saying. Show me some science to back up your claim that watching violence makes you violent. There is none.

And where is the point where it crosses a line? Is Guernica not okay anymore? I mean, that’s an image of mass murder, genocide even. What about Hamlet? Taxi Driver? The Godfather? There Will be Blood? A Clockwork Orange? Hellraiser? Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part II?

It’s easy to say “ultraviolence is socially corrosive” but what is the tipping point? Just like if you lined up everyone in the world, from the darkest African to the lightest albino, where does one stop being “white” and become “black?”

In fact, I’d wager that the only works of art that ever caused significant bloodshed are the Bible, the Koran, the Torah and probably a few other religious texts in which I am less well versed.

Correlation without causation, sir.

IQ FU • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Scientific justification for “You become what entertains you”:
We become what reinforces our behaviors. Watching violence reinforces or “rewards” the violence within. This is Scientific Psychology 101.
So, your comment, “Correlation without causation” is wrong.

You ask what crosses the line…”Guernica, Hamlet, Taxi Driver? The Godfather? There Will be Blood? A Clockwork Orange? Hellraiser? Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part II?
Everything but Guernica and Hamlet is pure, socially destructive violent Hollywood garbage deliberately produced and marketed to appeal to the basest instincts of boys 14-50.

Let me help you with your concern about “What crossees the line”:
If it’s an action/mob/cops & robbers/revenge/murder/rape/gang movie, then it crosses the line. Simple enough for you?

Your comment about the Bible, the Koran, and the Torah is valid-except the Torah, which has little if any historical connection with violence.
However, my comment is about “Fast Five” as socially reprehensible garbage, so let’s stick with movies.

ditto that • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Excellent summation thatoneguy. to add to that, IQ FU seems to think that entertainment creates desire, when really entertainment allows the audience to vicariously experience all kinds of emotions that they would never want to pursue in their real lives. IQ FU is a douche- and I didn’t need to see a film to know that.

Anon in Universal • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

SPOILERS below

I completely disagree with the premise “You become what entertains you.” The purpose of a movie like Fast Five is escapism. Traveling to Brazil on a whim, stealing the best cars, flying down the freeway and ignoring stop lights, street racing, and thievery are all things that are restricted in society. Seeing these actions on the big screen creates release for the audience, it is the essence of escapism. If society was truly corrupted and terrible then content like Fast Five or action movies would not be escapism, it would simply be true life and probably not nearly as appealing. The very fact that Fast Five is attractive means that it reflects the movie going public’s day dream, stuck in traffic, fantasies and not what they really want to happen.

SO, viewing the film in that context let’s address the issues you have with the project. You believe that Fast Five promotes anti-social behavior because of the themes in the movie. I would say that the majority of the themes you have issue with are addressed by the genre of escapism. For instance, I doubt you would go back in history and not greenlight all of the classic mobster movies just because they handled the details of life in organized crime. I also don’t share your opinion that the themes presented in Fast Five are anti-social. Vin Diesel’s character demonstrates regret for the man he killed in a prior movie and when faced with the opportunity to kill another character to prevent jail time chooses not to. The Rock’s character is a macho law head hunter type who refuses to see any moral context in the world, simply names on his list, but by the end of the movie he understands there can be complex motivations for the “bad guys” he hunts. The very money they plan to steal is from a Brazillian drug lord, a man who represents the systemic form of crime rather than the Robin Hood thievery of the movie’s heroes.

Finally, this movie has a genuinely diverse cast that enables all peoples and nationalities to get on board for the escapism without forcing the narrative through the image of one ethnicity.

So, go enjoy what ever it is a pretentious genius enjoys on a lonely weekend because apparently everybody else is off seeing Fast Five.

mileshigh • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

The official start to the Summer movie season is usually the first weekend in May. This year it is THOR released NEXT weekend. However, that opening weekend number is hard to ignore. So summer now starts in April? This will be debated, for sure.

jez • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Last year Summer blockbuster season started in March!

Vintae • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Since when did Summer Blockbuster season start in EARLY May??? I remember it starting around Memorial Day weekend.

jake • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

It’s started the first week of May for many years, the earliest i remember is twister.

brooklynpsycho • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

That is some really great and exciting news. I loved every minute of it and will be seeing it again. This is simply the best film this year so far for me.

Killaman • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Eddie Egan moved the Summer Movie Season up to May when he announced that THE MUMMY would open then. It was huge and now he’s done it again….Summer in late April…who knew!?!

WGAmember • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

I think in the next few years, if the trend continues, the summer movie season will start Christmas weekend.

Circusfolk • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Was in a theater here in NJ tonight and they added an additional showing of Fast Five at 11:30 p.m. due to the crowd. Hopefully this is the kick off of a great summer season.

David • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

If FF had bombed some would’ve blamed such an unconventional poster as being bad marketing for an action movie. Now people will study it.

clay • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

thats the stupidest comment on this site so far. no one cares about the poster, it’s hot guys with guns and running at camera..

get over yourself, as I am sure you designed it

David • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

Not sure who’s running at the camera. Vin looks like he’s waiting for a bus. Cars are all parked. It just seems so static for such a dynamic film. I didn’t do it. But I’d imagine it would’ve been hard to sell to the powers that be. I like it when someone does something different and it’s associated with success. I also like taking the honour of the most stupid comment so far and for that I thank you.

Joe • on May 1, 2011 7:01 am

If it’s deserving of study it’s how anyone that saw a frame of the movie could come up with something so uninspired, lazy and amateurish. It’s not an unconventional poster it is flat out the worst junior high photoshop art project one-sheet of the young year. The movie succeeds despite it. The trailer and the actual movie saved the marketing for this movie.